Supplemental car-step.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

A. F. ELKINS. SUPPLEMENTAL GAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED 1330.13.1905.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

attouwq PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906. A. P.'ELKINS.

SUPPLEMENTAL GAR STEP.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 13, 1965.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2v v 2% l mm,

ARTHUR F. ELKINS, OF IRONTON, OHIO.

SUPPLEMENTAL CAR-STEP.

Ara-829,861.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Application filed December 13,1905. Serial No. 291 594.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. ELxlNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ironton, in the county of Lawrence and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Supplemental Car-Steps, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in supplemental or extensible car-steps, comprehending specifically the means by which said steps may be moved to and from the operative or extended positions.

The main object of the present invention is the production of means by which the movement of the steps may be controlled by air or steam pressure, whereby the engineer or other train official may simultaneously control all the supplemental steps of the cars.

Another object of the invention is the production of means by which the width ofstep projected beyond the next succeeding-step -may be adjusted as desired.

Another object of the invention is the production of means to permit manual adjustment of the inclination of the supplemental step and of means by which the supplemental step may be locked in any desired position of adjustment relative to the other steps.

The preferred details of construction of the present invention will be clearly described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a broken perspective illustrating the. application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectionlongitudinally of the car-platform, illustrating the application of my invention, the steps being shown in extended or operative positions. verse of the platform, the operating mechanism being shown in elevation. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the cylinder. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section of the operating-valve.

' Referring to the drawings, the improved step comprises a rectangular strip of material 1, as wood or the like, of suitable dimension to provide the step proper. The side edges of the step are bound by a metallic strip 2, which ex tends in rear of the step in the form'of an approximately triangular extension 3, the central portion or apex of which is located some distance in rear of and in alinement with the transverse center of Fig. 3 is a section trans-' the step proper, thus providing a skeleton extension by the use of which the inclination of the step may be manually adjusted, as hereinafter described. Pivotally secured in said extension, preferably immediately adjacent the rear edge of the step pro per, 15': longitu- (finally-arranged bar 4, from which extends rearward and at a slight downward incline a cent: ally -arranged bar 5, the free end of which extends beyond and underlies the apex of the extension 3 and is preferably braced from. the bar 4 by side braces 6. By this construction a secondary frame, comprising the bar 4, bar 5, and braces 6, is pivotally connected to the step proper.

The operating mechanism is supported from the platform-step hangers 7 by metallic strips 8, arranged transverse or across said hangers and terminally bent to provide forwardly-projecting flanges 9, designed to embrace the hangers and be removably secured thereto by screws or other connections. Near the respective side edges the lower strip 8 is provided with rearwardly-projecting cars 10, between which is pivotally supported a bar 11, centrally enlarged to provide a cylinder-base 12.

Fixedly secured .to the base 12 is a cylinder 13, the upper end of which is adjustably secured relative to the upper strip 8 through the medium of a collar 14, slidably engaging the cylinder and having diametrically opposite projecting studs 15 to engage in longitudinally-arranged slots 16, formed in arallel spaced arms 17, projecting rearward y from the upper strip 8. The studs 14 are preferably of the set-screw type to adapt the cylinder to be held in adjusted position, and the arms 17 are preferably of curved formation to provide for the necessary movement of the studs.

Within .the cylinder is arranged a piston 18, the rod 19 of which depends below the cylinder and is rigidly connected to the bar 5 of the supplemental frame. Within the cylinder near the lower end, which is reduced in cross-section, I provide a transverse flange or stop 20, against which the lower end of a coil spring 21 is adapted to bear, said spring en-- circling the piston-rod and bearing at its up per end against the piston.

To provide for adjusting the inclination of the step proper, which is gained by relatively moving the extension of said step and the -IOO 7 operation.

with a main port 35 and with a branch port supplemental frame, the apex of the extension 3 is provided with a depending curved arm 22, which extends through an opening in the bar 5 of the supplemental frame and is held in adjusted position therein by a setscrew 23. I also provide means for securing the supplemental step in adjusted position relative to the other steps by securing a rod 24 to the bar 5 in rear of the piston-rod, Which rod 24 extends through. an opening in the cylinder-base l2 and through alug 25, secured to the cylinder, a set-screw 26, mounted in the lug, being adapted to hold the rod 24 in adjusted position.

It is to be understood that each of the ordinary series of steps of the car are to be provided with the supplemental step and operating mechanism hereinabove described, and provision is to be made for simultaneously operating all the, supplemental seats of the car or train. To this end aparticular form of valve is employed for operative connection with the cylinders of the opposing supplemental steps at each end of the car. This valve (shown in horizontal section in Fig. 5) comprises a body or casing 27, formed with an inlet-port 28, designed to be connected with any suitable pressure-supply pipe extending lengthwise of the train. Branch ports 29 lead from the main port 28 and communicate, respectively, through suitable flexible pipe connections 30 with the upper end of the cylinders for operating the supplemental steps. are interrupted by circular valve-seats 31, with which seats exhaust-ports 32, leading to the atmosphere, communicate. Valves 33 are arranged for revolution in the seats 32, having operatin 'handles 34 projecting below the body of t e casing for convenience in Each of the valves 33 is formed 36, communicating therewith and extending at right angles therefrom, all as clearly shown in Fig. 5. By proper manipulation of the valves the motive fluid, such as steam or air, may be directed through the ports 29 and into the respective cylinders or may be exhausted from the cylinders to the atmosphere, as will be clearly obvious.

In operation the motive fluid being admitted above the piston 18 forces the same downward within the cylinder, carrying with it the step proper, 1, the movement being regulated to position said supplemental step the proper distancebelow the lower fixed step. Upon exhausting the fiuid from the cylinder the spring 21 operates to return the supplemental step to closed position or in contact with the under side of the lower fixed step. By adjusting the upper end of the cylinder with relation to the upper securing-strip 8 through the medium of the set-screw 15 the angle of projection of the piston-rod may be varied and the free or forward edge of the The branch ports 29 supplemental step be projected to a greater or less extent beyond the free edge of the lower fixed step, thus adapting the device to accommodate restricted spaces between the cars and the platforms of stations. The supplemental step proper may be varied in itsinclination relative to the fixed step by adjusting the extension 3 with relation to the supplemental frame, as hereinbefore described. The supplemental step and operating mechanism provide a connected device entirely distinct from the fixed steps of the car, being connected to the latter through the medium of suitable screws or bolts, whereby my improved step and oper ating mechanism are readily applied and adapted for use in connection with the usual fixed steps at present employed in car constructlon.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination with the fixed steps of a car, of a cylinder adjustably secured thereto, and. a piston within the cylinder, and a supplemental step secured to and solely supported by said piston.

2. The combination with the fixed steps of a car, of a cylinder pivotally secured thereto, means for adjusting the angle of said cylinder relative to the steps, a piston within the cylinder, a piston-rod secured to the piston,

and a supplemental step secured to and solely supported by said piston-rod.

3. The combination with the fixed steps of the car, of a cylinder pivotally secured thereto near the lower end, means for adjusting the upper end of said cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, a piston-rod connected to the piston, and a supplemental step movably secured to the pistonrod.

4. The combination with the fixed steps of the car, of a cylinder pivotally secured thereto near the lower end, means for adjusting the upper end of said cylinder, a piston with in the cylinder, a piston-rod connected to the piston, a supplemental step, and a frame adjustably secured to the step and connected to the piston.

5. A supplemental car-step comprising a step proper, a supplemental frame adjustably connected thereto, an operating-cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, and a connection between said piston and said supplemental frame, said connection forming the sole support for the frame.

6. The combination with a permanent step, of a frame having a supplemental step pivoted thereto, means for securing the supplemental step in adjusted angular relation, and meansfor moving the frame.

7. A supplemental car step comprising supporting strips designed for removable connection with the frame of the fixed carsteps, a cylinder pivotally supported on one of said strips, means for adjustably connecting the cylinder with the other strip, a piston Within the cylinder, a piston-rod connected with the piston, a spring for moving the piston in an upward direction, a supplemental step provided with a rearward extension, a supplemental frame pivotally connected to said extension and secured to the piston-rod, and means for adjusting said frame With relation to the extension.

8. A supplemental car-step comprising a step proper, a supplemental frame pivotally connected thereto, means for adjusting the relative position of the step and frame, an operating-cylinder, a piston Within the cylinder, and a connection between said piston and frame.

9. A supplemental step for use in conjunction With a permanent step comprising a step proper, a frame pivotally supporting the step, means for securing the step in adjusted angular relation to the frame, and means for moving the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of-tWo Witnesses.

ARTHUR F. ELKINS.

Witnesses:

HARRY C. SLoAN,

E. W. KETTER. 

